Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Kept on the right path

. . . He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

I’m still thinking about those sheep (see
yesterday). They were almost mindless, easy to turn and guide, but also quick
to go wherever whim led them. I am so like those creatures.

Today’s devotional reading moves to the
next phrase of Psalm 23. It describes the path of righteousness as a clearly
defined and correct trail. The Bible says it “is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until
full day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

I want to walk that path, and because my
Shepherd guides me, it happens . . . even when I don’t listen to Him. The psalmist
felt the same longing, only whoever wrote this seems far more determined to
cooperate than I am, less of a mindless sheep and more experienced – because of
one thing . . .

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation
all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever
with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies
are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I
hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not
turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to
my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to
my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. (Psalm
119:97–106)

That one thing is obedience. This
psalmist kept the command of God, thinking about what God says and doing it. He
had learned to hate the false ways and was determined to walk the way of righteousness.

For those who struggle, the Old Testament
promises points toward a Savior, the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of
the world. This one called Jesus said of Himself, “I am the way . . . no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John
14:6) Notice how this prophecy says much the same thing, and more . . .

And a highway shall be there, and it shall
be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall
belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go
astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the
ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they
shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah
35:8–10)

The sheep who stray
become unhappy. Ask me how I know. No matter how appealing any temptation might
be, the fruit of going for it is always guilt and pain. But God has provided a
way of holiness, and this way is the Shepherd who guides His sheep on His path.
Jesus puts us there, even the fools including me, and keeps us there, even the
fools including me, until that day when our struggles turn into everlasting joy
and all our sorrows flee away.

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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)